Ertuğrul Gök graduates from conservatory despite autism diagnosis

Ertuğrul Gök, a 22-year-old musician diagnosed with autism at nine months old, has graduated from the Mustafa Kemal University Antakya State Conservatory. Despite early medical predictions that he would never learn to read or write, Gök successfully completed a four-year program in Turkish music.

His success is attributed to the intensive early intervention and continuous support provided by his family, particularly his mother, Sahra Gök. Following his primary and secondary education as an inclusive student, Gök passed the talent exams for the conservatory and also obtained pedagogical formation during his final year.

A multi-instrumentalist, Gök is proficient in the piano, kanun, guitar, bağlama, flute, darbuka, and drum. His graduation, marked by a celebratory procession, serves as a testament to the impact of dedicated family support and specialized education for children with special needs.